Biscuit taco replaces the waffle taco

NEW YORK — The newest weapon in the breakfast wars is a biscuit shaped like a taco.

Taco Bell is launching a biscuit taco this week and ditching its waffle taco, which got widespread attention last year when it was included in the rollout of the chain’s breakfast menu.

The swap comes as the chain tries to build on its year-old breakfast business by once again going after the dominant player in the mornings: McDonald’s.

In a new ad campaign, Taco Bell plans to paint Egg McMuffins as boring, routine food for the brainwashed. In New York and Los Angeles, it is putting up propaganda-like posters for a place called “Routine Republic,” with one featuring a demonic clown holding what looks like an Egg McMuffin with the words “Routine Rules.”

Starting Thursday, people can get a biscuit filled with options like eggs, sausage, cheese or deep-fried chicken and jalapeno honey sauce. It has between 370 and 470 calories, depending on the fillings.

Pgh. weighs app for parking meters

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Parking Authority is trying to find a company that can offer a smartphone application that would let drivers feed parking meters remotely.

The apps — already being used in Butler and many other cities — let people deposit money into meters while still in their cars if the weather is bad, or add time to their meters if they are busy shopping.

“All of these other cities are doing this successfully, and we are hearing that people want this and look forward to it,” said Dave Onorato, the authority’s executive director.

The technology is convenient but can come with a price that’s not just monetary.

“It’s technology that people will find very convenient,” said Lorrie Faith Cranor of Carnegie Mellon University’s CyLab Usable Privacy and Security Laboratory. “It would be a shame, though, to roll it out and then all of the sudden surprise people with (location) tracking and advertising that some people might think is privacy invasive.”

By The Associated Press